Moving During the Holidays

The holidays are the perfect time to venture out of your comfort zone and experience something new. Whether you’re relocating to a different city, state, or country for the holidays or just looking for some inspiration, the key is to make the transition as easy as possible. And that begins with planning your move early. Here are some helpful tips from the movers on how to make the holidays easier and less stressful:

Start as early as possible

Even if you’re moving within the same city, you should be prepared to begin your transition a few weeks before Thanksgiving. That way, you’ll have time to pack, clean, and say goodbye to your current home. If you’re moving across state lines, you’ll need to start the process even earlier, meaning even more stress for you and your family. If you have to take time off work, you can also try to plan your move for the summer, when traffic is lighter and temperatures are more bearable. In either case, you’ll want to get your packing done as early as possible so you have enough time to finish before you need to leave. If you don’t finish your packing until the last minute, you may not have the supplies you need to properly pack your items.

Put your house in order before you move in

When you’re a month out, start cleaning the house and putting away your belongings so you’re not scrambling to find a place to live once you arrive. Try to keep your kids’ rooms as clutter-free as possible so they don’t have to spend time sorting through their things. If you can’t keep your kids’ rooms neat, try to make sure that their toys, books, and clothing are stored in their closets, drawers, and baskets. You may also want to consider hiring extra help to help you clean your home and put away your belongings before you move. You’ll also want to make sure that the movers you’re contracting offer to pick up and move your trash, so it doesn’t end up in someone else’s garbage cans.

Be patient with the process

In general, the difference between a quick move and a slow one is how much control you have over the process. The closer you get to the big day, the more control you’ll have over the speed of the move. That will allow you to plan your day around the moving process and not have to spend time running errands or driving to and from your new location. When you arrive at your new home, take some time to get used to your surroundings.

Find the closest grocery store and make a list of groceries you’ll need to buy, and any other must-do tasks, like getting a new cable or phone service. You’ll also want to get a feel for where you’ll be living. That way, you won’t make any last-minute mistakes, like making the bed or changing out the sheets, or buying winter clothes that you’ll only wear once the weather warms up.

Don’t skimp on packing supplies

You’ll want to make sure that your move runs smoothly, especially when it comes to packing. Invest in paper and plastic boxes to properly organize your belongings and tape to keep them together. Make sure that you have plenty of tape and bubble wrap to pack and protect fragile items, like glass and porcelain. Packing is a time-intensive process, and you’ll spend less time and spend less money if you make sure to have all of the supplies you need, like packing guides and boxes, before you start. This way, you can prioritize which items need to go in which boxes and pack as quickly as possible.

Plan for food and drink stops along the way

Depending on how far you’re moving, you may want to make arrangements for a stop for food and drink along the way. You may be able to find a local truck stop or rest stop that allows you to stop for food and water during your trip. That way, you don’t have to worry about running out of those essentials. In some cases, you may be able to rent a storage unit at an airport or other convenient location, so you don’t have to worry about running out of room in your car.

Before you start your trip, make sure you know how long it’ll take to get to your new home, and have a map handy in case you can’t find the way. Put your phone on flight mode and leave any other electronics behind in case of emergencies, and you should be able to make it to your destination without incident.

Ask a lot of final-minute questions

As you get closer to the big move, you’ll want to start preparing yourself for any last-minute questions. Make sure that you have a complete list of all the items you’ll be moving, including address and item information, before you start the process. You’ll want to make sure that your new address is correct and that you have all the information you need, like the item’s UPC and model number, before you start to pack. You’ll also want to make sure that you have enough time to pack and transport your belongings, even if you’re working on a tight timeline.

You may need to change your moving date, or you may decide to rent a truck or move your belongings by hand. Make sure you’re planning for the changes that may come up, so you don’t end up with a truck full of stuff that you can’t get in your new home.

Final thoughts

The holidays are a unique time of year when people venture out of their comfort zones, whether that means moving to a new city or just getting out of their bubbles for a while. This is a great time to try something new and see a new part of the world, but you need to make sure that you’re prepared for the move. Start planning for your move as soon as possible, make sure you have a plan for cleaning your home and unpacking once you get there, and make sure to invest in the supplies you’ll need to properly pack and move your items.